Assam earthquake today: What we know about the 5.8 magnitude tremor that injured two girls in Udalguri

A shallow 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Assam on Sunday afternoon, leaving two young girls injured and causing structural cracks across multiple districts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Center for Seismology, the quake occurred at approximately 4:41 pm IST, with its epicentre identified in the Udalguri district and a reported depth of just 5 kilometers.

Initial assessments by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) confirmed that while no major loss of life or widespread destruction was recorded, minor structural damages have surfaced across at least six districts, including Biswanath, Darrang, Hojai, Nalbari, Sonitpur, and Udalguri.

The most severe incident involved the collapse of a portion of a house roof in Udalguri, resulting in injuries to two minor girls. The injured children are reportedly in stable condition, and no additional serious injuries or fatalities have been reported by authorities as of this writing.

How severe was the Assam earthquake and where was the epicentre located?

The earthquake’s magnitude—officially recorded as 5.8 by IMD—was significant enough to be felt across large swathes of Assam. However, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cited a slightly different figure of 5.6 magnitude in his official social media update. Regardless of the numerical discrepancy, experts agreed that the shallow depth of 5 kilometers played a crucial role in amplifying ground-level tremors across the affected regions.

The epicentre being located in Udalguri district meant that the brunt of the shaking and any associated damages were concentrated in that area, where both minor injuries and visible infrastructural effects were observed. Shallow earthquakes are typically more damaging than deeper ones because they occur closer to the Earth’s surface, thereby transferring more energy to structures above ground.

What kind of damage has been reported so far in Assam following the quake?

While there has been no large-scale devastation, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority has confirmed scattered reports of structural impairment. These include cracked ceilings, broken glass panes, dislodged plaster, and partial damage to small buildings, particularly in districts such as Nalbari, Hojai, and Sonitpur.

Authorities clarified that most of the structural damage remains non-critical and non-load-bearing in nature. However, officials are conducting further inspections to ensure the safety and stability of affected structures.

Visuals circulated on social media shortly after the tremor appear to corroborate these findings, with videos showing cracked walls and residents gathering outside buildings. Although these unverified clips suggest additional minor damage, official teams have been dispatched to verify the full extent of the impact.

How did Assam’s state and national leadership respond to the earthquake?

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded quickly with a statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that there were no initial reports of major damage or fatalities. He also emphasized that the state machinery was on high alert and that ground teams had already been deployed to assess and mitigate risk in affected areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was concluding a two-day visit to Assam at the time, had just departed for Kolkata when the quake hit. According to Chief Minister Sarma, the Prime Minister personally called him shortly after landing to enquire about the situation and extended assurances of full support from the central government.

Sarma expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his timely outreach, noting that such prompt coordination between state and national leadership reinforces public confidence during natural disasters.

What are the institutional reactions and emergency protocols being followed after the quake?

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority, in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local district collectors, has initiated a multi-point inspection protocol to assess public infrastructure and residential housing. Hospitals, schools, and public offices in affected districts are also being examined for structural integrity.

Emergency response teams have been instructed to remain on standby through the next 48 hours in case of aftershocks. Meanwhile, engineers and safety auditors are being sent to areas where cracks have been reported to evaluate whether any buildings pose an immediate risk to residents.

Experts from the National Center for Seismology have reiterated that Northeast India, including Assam, lies within one of the most seismically active zones of the Indian subcontinent. This region falls within Zone V, the highest category on India’s seismic zoning map, making preparedness and rapid response critical components of disaster mitigation.

What is the outlook for further tremors or aftershocks in Assam following the main quake?

Although no aftershocks have been officially confirmed as of Sunday evening, historical data from similar seismic events suggests that minor aftershocks ranging between magnitude 3.0 and 4.0 could follow in the coming hours or days. These aftershocks, though typically weaker, can still pose risks—especially to already weakened structures or damaged buildings.

Seismologists recommend that residents in the impacted districts exercise caution, particularly when re-entering damaged homes or structures. State officials have echoed this sentiment, urging citizens to report any signs of instability in homes or community infrastructure.

Preparedness drills and community awareness campaigns are expected to be intensified over the next week to educate residents on how to respond in case of further tremors.

What are analysts and disaster management experts saying about Assam’s earthquake readiness?

Institutional observers and disaster preparedness analysts have previously flagged the vulnerability of several Northeastern states due to inadequate retrofitting of older buildings and inconsistent enforcement of seismic construction codes in semi-urban and rural areas. While urban centers like Guwahati have seen progress in earthquake-resilient infrastructure in recent years, smaller districts like Udalguri may still lack comprehensive structural safeguards.

Experts noted that Sunday’s earthquake serves as a reminder for Assam to continue strengthening its disaster resilience frameworks—not just through infrastructure improvements, but also via public awareness, emergency drills, and better coordination between state and central agencies.

How will this incident affect long-term seismic preparedness and infrastructure audits in Assam?

While the earthquake has not caused widespread devastation, it may prompt a re-evaluation of Assam’s infrastructure policies, especially in the state’s interior districts. State-level development projects, particularly those involving public buildings, schools, and health facilities, may now be reviewed with a stronger emphasis on seismic compliance.

Past earthquakes in Assam, such as the 6.4 magnitude quake in April 2021, had already put pressure on local authorities to enhance preparedness. Sunday’s tremor reinforces the need for regular structural audits and wider public participation in earthquake awareness initiatives.